Luxury cars do poorly in new crash tests

Mercedes-Benz disputed the ranking of its 2012 C-Class cars as poor in a new frontal crash test. Frontal crashes kill more than 10,000 people yearly in the U.S.

Photo: Mercedes-Benz

DETROIT - Most midsize luxury cars, including the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, performed poorly in a new frontal crash test developed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

The new test is designed to replicate what happens when a car hits another car or a fixed object like a tree or utility pole. The test strikes 25 percent of a car's front end into a 5-foot rigid barrier at 40 mph.

The results don't bode well for non-luxury models, which will be the next to undergo the new test. Insurance Institute crash test results are closely watched by the auto industry and often lead to changes in design or safety features.

Of the 11 cars tested, only the Acura TL, Volvo S60 and Infiniti G earned good or acceptable ratings from the institute, which is funded by insurers.

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By The Associated Press

LUXURY FLOP: Most midsize luxury cars flunked a new crash test from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Only the Acura TL, Volvo S60 and Infiniti G scored good or acceptable ratings. "Marginal" or "Poor" scores were given to the Acura TSX, BMW 3 Series, Lincoln MKZ , Volkswagen CC, Mercedes C-Class, Lexus IS 250 and ES 350 and Audi A4.

NEW TEST: The new test mimics what happens when 25 percent of the car's front end hits a fixed object like a tree at 40 mph. Mercedes says the scenario is severe and uncommon, but the institute disputes that.

WHY IT MATTERS: IIHS tests are closely watched by the industry and carmakers brag about good ratings in their ads. The tests often lead to design changes or added safety features.

The institute said the new test indicates that side air bags, which are designed for direct impact T-bone crashes but not for off-center frontal ones, may not go off in time or extend far enough to protect occupants. In three cars - the BMW, Mercedes and Volkswagen - the seat belts spooled out too much after the crash, causing the crash-test dummies to strike hard surfaces.

The Volkswagen's door was sheared off during the test.

Mercedes said it didn't agree with its ranking and pointed out that the C-Class is listed as one of the institute's top safety picks.

Mercedes said the crash test mimics an unusually severe and uncommon scenario.